The Desert Riders were the premiere bluegrass and western swing band in southern Arizona in the 1980s. For 5 years they played and sang for weddings, parties, conventions, tourist groups and local fans, until going their separate ways in 1987. For their 30th anniversary this legendary band is reuniting for a one-time only performance at the 28th Annual Tucson Folk Festival Sunday May 5th 2013 at 5:00 PM. The Desert Riders played at the very first Tucson Folk Festival back in 1986, so this is the perfect occasion for their reunion concert. That weekend will also mark the release of their first (and so far only!) CD project, "Only 30 Years Late", recorded in 1987 and recently restored from a long-lost master tape. For those long-time fans who wondered "whatever happened to those guys", to the next generation just learning about classic western acoustic music, the Desert Riders promise an enthusiastic show of their old favorites and maybe a new song or two (but not too new!).

The Desert Riders are:

Rick Johnson - guitar and vocals
Jim Koweek - bass and MC
Gail Gowing - fiddle and vocals
Sam Farris - banjo, pedal steel guitar and vocals

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Rick, Jim, Gail and Sam - 1987
Release date: May 1, 2013
The Desert Riders - Only 30 Years Late About the CD:
The twelve songs on the CD, "Only 30 Years Late" are taken from a long-lost master recording made in 1986. Although the exact recording date and details are lost to history, we are proud to finally offer this chance to hear the Desert Riders at their best. These tunes are an excellent sample of their crowd-pleasing combination of Western Swing, classic country, and up-tempo bluegrass styles. No fancy studio tricks, no auto-tuned vocals, no drums, you hear it just as it came - straight from the heart.

Pre-Order Special through April 30! You can order "Only 30 Years Late" for shipment in May 2013 for only $12! (plus $2 S&H, US orders only)
The Desert Riders - Only 30 Years Late   Sound Clips
   That's What I Like About the South
  Devil In Disguise
  Today I Started Loving You Again
  Back in the Saddle Again
  Texas Blues
  Pow Wow the Indian Boy
  Night Rider's Lament
  Putting My Heart on Hold
  You Win Again
  Highway 40 Blues
  Making Plans
  Jerusalem Ridge